The owner of a fledging business has praised the impact of her peers in giving her the strength and inspiration to follow her dreams.
Albany Tripp founded Sakura Studio Gallery in February 2023 after being encouraged to aim high by two established artists.
The young businesswoman, who learned last week that she is in the running for two top industry awards, said she owed her success to two fellow artists.
“I started out working as a volunteer for designermakers21 and The Octagon in Diss,” she said.
“Without the encouragement of artists Annette Rolston and Mike Fenton, who launched The Octagon, I would never have started my business.
“I have always been in to art, but the extra self-belief that grew while I was volunteering there has been an essential part of seizing this opportunity.”
Based at Stonham Barns Park, Sakura Studio Gallery has been named as an East of England finalist in the 2024 StartUp Awards.
Dedicated to showcasing the talents of independent artists, while acting as a space for people to experiment with their own creativity through a host of workshops, the business has been nominated as Rural Start-Up of the Year and Creative Start-Up of the Year.
“As a young business, to receive the news that my little creative space is a regional finalist in not one, but two categories is just amazing,” said Albany, who lives in Diss.
“Suffolk is the perfect place for artists to thrive and we do it all so much better when we collaborate.
“I can’t express how grateful I am to be able to have this art space, where I am able to create and share my love for art, support and exhibit other artists and share our creative passions with workshops – all while raising my young son and his soon-to-come little sibling.”
The cohort of finalists will be considered for the regional prizes by a panel of judges with experience in founding or supporting entrepreneurial ventures.
The winners from each region will then be invited to the first UK final on September 12.
Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, the creator of the UK StartUp Awards, said: “Start-up businesses are the lifeblood of any economy, being responsible for new jobs, innovation and wealth creation across the UK.
“All of the finalists this year represent the best of those entrepreneurs who have spotted an opportunity and, through their sheer hard work, talent and perseverance, have created amazing new businesses that are creating a real impact in their sectors.
“Building on the success of previous years, we are now looking to identify the best of the best, with all the finalists who win their category in their region going on to represent their region at the first ever UK National StartUp Awards final later this year.”
The UK StartUp Awards was created in collaboration with the team behind the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, and launched in 2022.
